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Powell was 2-time All-American at PRCC

Submitted by braswell on October 12, 2010 - 3:57pm

POPLARVILLE - The Elaine Powell basketball file at Pearl River Community College is much like her files at LSU and as an all-star player in the Women''s National Basketball Association. They are all impressive.As a 5-foot-9 guard at PRCC from 1993-95, she helped put the program on the national map.As a freshman, she averaged 27.5 points per game, tops in the nation. She was All-State, All-Region and NJCAA first-team All-American. She scored more than 40 points in three games, more than 30 points in eight games. She averaged 10 rebounds a game and shot 52 percent from the floor.As a sophomore, Powell averaged 31.6 points per game, tops in the nation. She was All-State, All-Region, NJCAA first-team All-American and Kodak All-American first team. She scored more than 50 points in a single game, more than 40 points in three games and more than 30 points in 19 games.Add it up and Powell scored 1,927 points in her two years at PRCC. The team won a state championship, a regional championship, participated in the National JuCo Tournament and finished with a 52-13 record."Pearl River helped prepare me to go to a bigger university as well as prepared me for the world," said Powell. "My teachers and teammates were so supportive as well as my coach (Polly Kirkland) in making sure I graduated on time and getting me ready to go to LSU."Powells'' accomplishments on the basketball court have earned her a place in the college''s Sports Hall of Fame. She will be inducted Saturday, Oct. 23, during 2010 Homecoming festivities on the Pearl River campus."Pearl River was a special place for me," said Powell. "I ended up playing there because I was home sick at another school and my sister (Karen) told me about the school she was attending, which was Pearl River. So I followed her there."I remember playing at Pearl River and the people who came out and supported us. And my teammates made me feel right at home."It did not take long for Powell to make an impact. She scored 31 points in her first game and 44 in her second."She was off to the races," said Kirkland.After her career at Pearl River, Powell transferred to LSU and helped put the Lady Tigers back on the national map as she led LSU to its first NCAA Tournament and Sweet 16 Appearance in five seasons during the 1996-97 campaign with a 25-5 mark. Also during the season, Powell was named to the Bahamas Shootout All-Tournament Team in addition to earning national player of the week honors. Powell, who averaged 19.1 points and shot 48 percent during her two years at LSU, was also a two-time All-SEC player.She was the first player in LSU history drafted by the WNBA as the Orlando Miracle selected her in the fourth round of the 1999 draft. She spent three-and-half seasons in Orlando before joining the Detroit Shock midway through the 2002 season.As a member of the Shock, Powell became a valuable member of the organization by leading the team to three WNBA World Championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008. Off the court, Powell made her presence felt in the community as she was awarded the 2002-03 WNBA off-season Community Assist Award for extensive community outreach.NAME: Elaine PowellHOMETOWN: Monroe, La.FAMILY: Parents, James and Merlene Powell; sister, Karen; two brothers, Curtis and Cedric.EDUCATION: Graduated from Carroll High School, Monroe, La., 1993; graduated from PRCC, 1995; graduated from LSU, 2001.OCCUPATION: Assistant Women''s Basketball Coach, Grambling State University. Prior to that, played in the Women''s National Basketball Association.